Tony started cooking professionally at the age of 14 when he worked in the kitchens of a pub/restaurant in Warwickshire.

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He soon became hooked on cooking and studied for two years at Stratford-upon-Avon Catering College followed by 18 months in the kitchens of The Chester Grosvenor. In 1984 he moved to London to join the brigade at the one-Michelin-starred Capital Hotel under head chef Brian Turner.

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This was followed by five years with Nico Ladenis. Tony started off at the two-Michelin-starred Chez Nico in Battersea and later became sous chef at Simply Nico in Westminster. When Ladenis opened Chez Nico in Great Portland Street, Tony stayed behind as head chef at Very Simply Nico for two-and-a-half years. At 25, Tony took over as head chef at the South Lodge Hotel in Lower Beeding. During the three-and-a-half years he spent there, the restaurant was awarded the Good Food Guide's County Restaurant of the Year in 1992.

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Tony then had a very successful 25 years at his own restaurant Tony Tobin @ The Dining Room in Reigate, specialising in exquisite fine dining.

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Tony's television career began with 1990, but he is best known for his time on Ready Steady Cook.